Quiet Devotions is a daily devotion based on one of the readings from the Daily Lectionary (as it appears in the back of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress, 2006). All biblical quotes are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) unless otherwise noted. May these devotions help bring you in closer relationship with the Triune God.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Year B, Lent 3, Saturday


Inspired by Exodus 19:16-25

“Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God.  They took their stand at the foot of the mountain.  Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the Lord had descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while the whole mountain shook violently.”  Exodus 19:17-18

When we seek God, what do we expect to find?  When we approach the holy Lord in prayer, how do we expect him to reveal his answer?

It seems as though the days of fiery mountains, pillars of smoke, and burning bushes are long past, and we must find God instead in the still, small voices, or else working in and through ordinary events and people.  But despite his current tendency toward subtlety, this is still the Lord God who descended in fire upon Mount Sinai, spoke to Moses in thunder, and warned that anyone who was not properly consecrated and attempted to break through the barriers he had established so they could get a look at God would be killed.  God has since removed many of the barriers between us and him, and we have been consecrated by his Son, but he is still not to be approached lightly.  The God who cares enough to work through ordinary events and people, and who speaks to us in a still, small voice, is also the God who is capable of shaking mountains and revealing himself through fire, smoke, and thunder.  The God who loved us enough to give his Son to die for us is the same God who conquered death itself.

Whatever we expect to find when we seek God, we can be certain that he is capable of accomplishing whatever he wills to accomplish.

Let us pray.  God of power and might, you indeed are holy and your presence is awesome.  Help us to approach you with honor and humility, that we might remember all your works and all that you are capable of as we bring our hopes and concerns to you.  Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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